Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-10-25
THE OFFICE AND THE MAN.

Mr.. Cleveland, having completed his
swing around the second term eIectioneer-
ing circle, is now not called upon to fur
Their preach Of the dignity and vast import
ance Of the Presidential office. That is
all very well at proper times, but one of
these is not when on his travels Moreover,
he told nobody anything new on that
score. Every fairly well-informed citizen,
with a grain of love for American institu-
lions, knows, and was taught from child
hood, that higher and better, and beyond
all other positions, is that which crowns
all official station in the Republic of the
United States. But it does not follow
tina. when the citizen filling the post "goes
out to ride with all the world to see" that
he does so as President Mr.. Cleveland
did not fish in the Adirondacks as Presi-
dent, or visit the West and South as Presi-
dent. These were not incidents of the
Presidential position, and in discharge of
no duty did he bait steel hooks for noun
tain trout, or cast political bait in the
West.
When the chief magistrate of the nation
goes out for holiday run he does it for
personal good, physical comfort and mental
rest, not to seek and receive public APP
plause, or satisfy public curiosity. An
drew johnson attempted to make junket-
ing trip triumphal march, but it proved
dismal failure. The people are not de
ceived by the adulation of committees
who manage receptions, or by dec
oratiye arches and set parades
& in honor Of the President" 1t
was never contemplated in the scheme
Of our government that any official, high
or low, should, because of his station, be-
come an object of reverence. The man is
one and the office is another thing. The
office confers honor upon the man, and the
most the latter can do is to be worthy of
1t he cannot exalt the Office itself, for it
stands beyond and above the point of ex-
altation already. Mr.. Cleveland's speeches
nearly all contained some reference to the
dignity and loftincSs distinction of his
office, rs if that gave reason enough for the
multitude to bow down before its incum
bent with uncovered heads. No other
President, except johnson, has ever pre-
sented himself in the attitude assumed by
the present incumbent.
Every man having weak spot, we are
constrained to believe that this is Mr..
Clevelands His speeches and the inter-
views had with him in his recent Journey
Ings all convey the impression that he
considered his Office to be coat of mail,
an absolute injunction-for the time at
least-against criticism, to put it strongly;
that it was impossible to examine his
policy or course during the tour without
assailing the dignity and sanctity of the
high office he fills. The Presidential
position insures none of its incumbents
immunity from criticism. Mr.. Cleveland
must say as much if the question were put
squarely to him, but his public utterances
and letters are undeniably differently
toned. We were constantly reminded
that high office was out for ride, not Mr..
Cleveland; that it is one of great dignity,
and that 1t ought to command our pro-
found respect, as if 1t had not always done
so; bat possible disassociation by the peo-
pie of Mr.. Cleveland from the Office does
not appear to have suggested itself to him.
We have heard of one President of the
United States who, when unofficially
travelling, or visiting, requested that he be
addressed as private citizen, and not
as Mr.. President" The objection
to Mr.. Clevelands posing as Mr.. Presi-
dent when simply appearing as Mr..
Cleveland, is not partisan nor super
flcial, 1t involves question of patriot
ism, and suggests the cultivation of
species of exaltation of the man that.
II stimulated much, may have the reverse
OF beneficial effect upon American institu
lions, and lead to the use of the "hirh
position" in accomplishing political ambi-
tlons, outside of and Incompatible with
the dignity of the Office and the purpose of